Pages

Thursday, June 30, 2016

About the Book
An ounce of courage.
A leap of faith.
Together, they propel two young women to chase a new life—one that’s reimagined from what they might have become.
In turn-of-the-century America, a young girl dreams of a world that stretches beyond the confines of a quiet life on the family farm. With little more than her wit and a cigar box of treasures, Mable steps away from all she knows, seeking the limitless marvels of the Chicago World’s Fair. There, a chance encounter triggers her destiny—a life with a famed showman by the name of John Ringling.
A quarter of a century later, Lady Rosamund Easling boards a ship to America as a last adventure before her arranged marriage. There, the twenties are roaring, and the rich and famous gather at opulent, Gatsby-esque parties. The Jazz Age has arrived, and with it, the golden era of the American circus, whose queen is none other than the enigmatic Mable Ringling.

When Rosamund’s path crosses with Mable’s and the Ringlings’ glittering world, she makes the life-altering decision to leave behind a comfortable future of estates and propriety, choosing instead the nomadic life of a trick rider in the Ringling Brothers’ circus.

My Thoughts
Beautiful. That's the best word I can think of to describe this book. Breathtakingly beautiful. From the moment I opened this book I was transported to another time and place and I was quite content to stay there. I'm pretty sure every living person has at least heard of the Ringling Brothers but I knew next to nothing about their world. Kristy Cambron painted such a vivid picture with her words that I felt like I was right there in the Big Top.
Both Mable and Rosamund's stories were wonderful and I love how seamlessly they were woven together. Their beginnings were years apart yet they were told at the same time and the author slipped back and forth between them in a way that felt perfectly natural and right.
I loved Mable and John's quiet love and the way they interacted was gently beautiful and endearing. John was a more serious man of few words but you never doubted his love for Mable and he showed it in the best ways.
Colin and Rosamund's love story took a little longer to develop but it was no less wonderful. They were both spirited and determined, and sometimes a little blind to what was right in front of them but that slowly changed and their romance was enough to melt your heart.
I was honestly blown away by this book! It was brilliantly written and I loved this glimpse behind the scenes of the glittering circus that was a big part of entertainment history. I several times had to stop reading for a minute to take in just how beautiful this book was. Pick up a copy for yourself and you won't be sorry!

Meet the Author
Kristy Cambron has a background in art and design, but she fancies life as a vintage-inspired storyteller. She is the author of THE RINGMASTER'S WIFE, named to Publishers Weekly Spring 2016 Religion & Spirituality TOP 10. Her novels have been named to Library Journal Reviews' Best Books and RT Reviewers' Choice Awards Best lists, and received a 2015 INSPY Awards nomination for best debut novel. THE ILLUSIONIST'S APPRENTICE (HarperCollins, 2017) is her fourth novel.
Kristy is a Speaker and Design Manager at TheGROVEstory.com, and holds a degree in Art History from Indiana University. She lives in Indiana with her husband and three sons, where she can probably be bribed with a coconut mocha latte and a good read.
To stay connected, follow Kristy's Writing Desk Newsletter at: KristyCambron.com

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

About the Book
Tia Gets a Second Chance at Love When an Old Crush Suddenly Reappears
Tia D'Amico is thrilled to move to San Francisco to help her aunt transform an old luxury yacht into an upscale floating restaurant. What's not to love? Sunset dinner cruises, upscale wedding receptions--the possibilities are endless and far more appetizing than staying in a monotonous job in her Podunk hometown. Besides, some of her best memories are tied to San Francisco--especially the memory of Leo Parker, her crush from a long-ago sailing camp.
When the self same Leo Parker turns out to be the yacht's captain, Tia is floating on air. But will it all come crashing down around her when she discovers his heart belongs to someone else?
Get ready for a romantic summer in San Francisco, where the future glistens brighter than the bay at sunset.

My Thoughts
When I think of Melody Carlson's books my mind immediately goes to summer. They tend to have a lighter feel to them which is exactly what you want in a summer read. This book took it even a step further by being set almost entirely during the summer as the title suggests. I loved the setting of San Francisco and the fun of having a lot of the story center on the renovating of a yacht. It was cool to envision how it started and watch it take shape over the course of the book.
Leo and Tia were fun characters and I admired how even though there was attraction from the beginning then didn't act on it in the slightest until after Leo's previous relationship ended. Even if that did make their romance seem a little fast and unnatural once they got around to it. It was easy to see that they were a great match and I was happy once they finally got together.
There were some parts I found a little cheesy and I would have preferred a slightly different timeline but all in all it was a fun summer read and I recommend it if you're looking for a light mindless read!

Meet the Author
Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books with sales of more than 6.5 million, including many bestselling Christmas novellas, young adult titles, and the contemporary romance Once Upon a Summertime. She received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her many books, including Finding Alice. She and her husband live in central Oregon. Learn more at www.melodycarlson.com.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

About the Book
After a devastating layoff, attorney Eric Nash heads back to the town where he grew up--only to discover that his childhood home is being transformed into a bed & breakfast. Instead of plotting his next career move in peace, he's constantly distracted by noise, chaos--and BJ Stevens, the attractive but prickly blonde architect and construction chief who's invaded the house with her motley crew.
As for BJ, her client's son might be handsome, but after a disastrous romance, dating isn't high on her agenda. Yet when they join forces to create a program for Hope Harbor seniors, might they also find healing, hope, and a new beginning themselves?

Three-time RITA Award winner Irene Hannon takes readers back to Hope Harbor for a new season of charm, romance, and second chances.

My Thoughts
I have yet to meet an Irene Hannon novel that I haven't loved and that streak continued with this book. I love the peaceful setting of Hope Harbor and all it's unique residents and so it was nice to visit again.
Eric and BJ were great characters and I was rooting for them from the start. I loved how both of them were always quick to jump in and help as soon as they saw a need with little to no regard for the personal cost. It was clear that they were exactly what each other needed and it was fun to watch their journey to discovering that.
I loved that many of my favorite characters from the first book in this series made an appearance again and I got to see how their lives were progressing.
This story was a little predictable but that didn't take away from my enjoyment of it, and it was still a great read! If you're looking for a relaxing summer read I highly recommend this book!

Meet the Author
Irene Hannon is the bestselling author of more than fifty novels, including One Perfect Spring and Hope Harbor, as well as the Private Justice and Men of Valor series. Her books have been honored with three coveted RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America, a Carol Award, two Reviewers' Choice Awards from RT Book Reviews magazine, a Retailers' Choice Award, two Booksellers' Best Awards, and a National Readers' Choice Award. Learn more at www.irenehannon.com.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Friday, June 24, 2016

Picking just one couple would be too hard so I'm instead choosing a favorite family, the O'Conners, and all the couples that includes! Patrick and Marcy O'Conner, Sean and Emma O'Conner, Collin and Faith McGuire, Mitch and Charity Dennehy, John and Lizzie Brady, Steven and Annie O'Conner,

"Please join me every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name."

He was going to hit that pickup truck.As the vehicle in front of him screeched to a halt, Eric Nash flung his cell toward the passenger seat, clenched the wheel, and jammed the BMW's brake to the floor.Too late.
Sea Rose Lane by Irene Hannon

My Thoughts
Definitely attention grabbing! I want to see what happens!

Thursday, June 23, 2016

About the Book
Race Point, Massachusetts, 1876
Will she ever be able to stop running, even when she believes she’s finally safe? Heiress to a vast fortune, Victoria Cole has everything she wants, including the perfect fiancé. Having left two other men at the altar, Victoria is sure that now she’s found her true love and will finally live happily ever after. As her wedding draws near, however, Victoria’s life is threatened. To keep her safe, Victoria’s father hires a bodyguard. Tom Cushman’s number one priority is protecting his clients, which means no personal entanglements. But he’s never guarded someone as beautiful and winsome as Victoria. After a near-kidnapping, the wedding is cancelled, and Tom hides Victoria at Cape Cod’s Race Point Lighthouse until her attacker can be found. Appointed as assistant light keeper with Victoria posing as his wife, Tom believes the isolation of the lighthouse will keep her safe. As Victoria struggles to live without familiar luxuries, her heart betrays her with growing feelings for her protector. Determined to help Tom stop fleeing from his haunted past, can the runaway bride learn to face her own fears? With the attacker closing in, will both of them ever be able to stop running and find the safety they long for?

My Thoughts
So I'll start by saying that I of course loved this book! I have yet to meet a Jody Hedlund novel that was not brilliantly amazing! I was very excited when she announced that even though her publisher wasn't interested in Victoria's story she was going to self publish it anyway! It took me a little while to find the time to read this book once I got my hands on it but when I finally started it I could barely stand to put it down! I was completely swept up into Victoria and Tom's love story from the very start of page one and I loved every second. If you've been around my blog for any amount of time you may know that I'm a sucker for marriage of convenience stories and this one had all the things I love about them. Victoria and Tom didn't get along well at all at the beginning which provided its fair share of amusement but it was also fun to watch their respect for each other grow until eventually it turned into love.
Victoria was a girl raised in the lap of luxury but I really admired how hard she worked when they went to the lighthouse cut off from civilization. She had her diva moments but she quickly accepted her reality and made the best of it. Tom had a bit of a rough exterior but he also had a kind and caring heart and would do whatever necessary to protect any and everyone around him. At first glance they were an unlikely pair but deep down they were exactly what each other needed.
I also loved Tom's parents! They were hysterical and adorable all at the same time and it was awesome!
The mystery of who was trying to sabotage the wedding, while not the main focus of the book, was still intriguing and kept me guessing until the end.

So yeah this book was absolutely wonderful and while it is the fourth in a series it could probably be read alone, though the first three were amazing to do you should probably read them all!

Meet the Author
Jody Hedlund is the author of over a dozen novels, including Love Unexpected, Captured by Love, Unending Devotion, The Preacher's Bride, and A Noble Groom, winner of the 2014 Carol Award for historical romance. She received a bachelor's degree from Taylor University and a master's from the University of Wisconsin, both in social work. She lives in Michigan with her husband and five children. She loves hearing from readers on Facebook and on her blog at www.jodyhedlund.com.

I received this an ebook copy of this book free from the author in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

The Lady and the Lionheart by Joanne Bischof
Mason Jar Books-August 1, 2016

About the Book

Virginia, 1890
Raised amid the fame and mystique of the Big Top, Charlie Lionheart holds the audience in the palm of his hand. But while his act captivates thousands, it’s away from the spotlight where his true heart lies. Here he humbly cares for his pride of lions as if they were his brothers, a skill of bravery and strength that has prepared him for his most challenging feat yet—freeing an orphaned infant from the dark bondage of a sideshow. A trade so costly, it requires his life in exchange for hers, leaving him tarnished by the price of that choice.
As the circus tents are raised on the outskirts of Roanoke, nurse Ella Beckley arrives to tend to this Gypsy girl. All under the watchful eye of a guardian who not only bears a striking resemblance to the child, but who protects the baby with a love that wraps around Ella’s own tragic past, awakening a hope that goodness may yet reign. When their forbidden friendship deepens, Charlie dares to ask for her heart, bringing her behind the curtain of his secret world to reveal the sacrifice that gave hope to one little girl—boldly showing Ella that while her tattered faith is deeply scarred, the only marks that need be permanent are his own.

Why I Want It

I've only read one of this author's books but I loved it and this one sounds really good and unique!

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the BookishI haven't gotten to read as much this year as I have in years past. But though the number has been low the quality has been high, and all but a couple have been four or five star books! Here are ten of my absolute favorites that released this year!

Two Men Vie for Her Affection--Survival Will Depend on Choosing the Right One
Two years ago, Prosperity Jones waved farewell to her beloved David as the army sent him to faraway Key West. Now with her parents gone, she has but one prospect for the future: make the dangerous journey from Nantucket to Key West to reunite with David and secure a happier life. Arriving penniless in the South, Prosperity is dismayed to find David married to someone else. Scrambling to survive and nursing a broken heart, she gains the friendship--and the affection--of a kind doctor. Could he be the answer to her loneliness? Or will her life be upended by circumstance yet again?
With a deft hand, Christine Johnson fills the reader's senses with the sights, sounds, and smells of Key West in this heartwarming story of honor lost, honor redeemed, and a love forged in adversity.

Why I Want It

This author's first book had potential and I did enjoy it so I'm hoping this second one is a little more polished!

Thursday, June 09, 2016

About the Book
Isabel Creston never dared to dream that love could be hers. Now, at the edge of a forest filled with dark secrets, she faces a fateful choice between love and duty.
For as long as she can remember, beautiful and free-spirited Isabel has strained against the rules and rigidity of the Fellsworth School in the rolling English countryside. No longer a student, Isabel set her sights on a steady role as a teacher at the school, a safe yet stifling establishment that would enable her to care for her younger sister Lizzie, who was left in her care after her father’s death.
The unexpected arrival of a stranger with news of unknown relatives turns Isabel’s small, predictable world upside down, sweeping her and her young charge into a labyrinth of intrigue and hidden motives.
At her new family’s invitation, Isabel and Lizzie relocate to Emberwilde, a sprawling estate adjacent to a vast, mysterious wood rife with rumors and ominous folklore—along with whispers of something far more sinister. Perhaps even more startling, two handsome men begin pursuing Isabel, forcing her to learn the delicate dance between attraction, the intricate rules of courtship, and the hopes of her heart.

At Emberwilde Isabel will discover that the key to unlocking the mystery of her past may also open the door to her future and security. But first she must find it—in the depths of Emberwilde Forest.

My Thoughts
As a general rule regency era novels aren't my go to favorites but there are a few authors in this genre that I enjoy and Sarah E. Ladd is definitely one of them! From the moment I picked up her debut I have been a fan and this book has to be one of my favorites!
Isabel was a wonderful heroine, she had a heart that truly cared for all those around her, and while she had a free-spirit, she was respectful of others. I also really liked Colin, he was an honest man determined to do his job well and to uphold justice, and he was very kind. They were a well paired couple and I enjoyed their journey to love.
There were many pieces of mystery throughout the book and it was interesting to see them all fit together at the end. I had guessed some things but not all so it was fun to watch it unfold and it kept my attention until the very end!
In short I loved this book and while it is the second in the series there is very little connecting them so this is able to be read as a standalone!

Meet the Author
Sarah E. Ladd received the 2011 Genesis Award in historical romance for The Heiress of Winterwood. She is a graduate of Ball State University and has more than ten years of marketing experience. Sarah lives in Indiana with her amazing husband, sweet daughter, and spunky Golden Retriever.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Nikki Boyd Enters the Deadly World of Counterfeit Drugs to Find a Missing Woman
Nikki Boyd isn't usually called in on homicides; her forte is missing persons. But when a case with two murdered and two missing pops up on a quiet suburban street, she's ready to start the investigation and find missing homeowners Mac and Lucy Hudson. When the first clues lead her to the boat of her friend Tyler Grant--and another dead body--Nikki must untangle what ties Tyler to the Hudsons. The clues pull her into a deadly maze of counterfeit drugs and a killer who will stop at nothing to silence anyone who threatens his business--including Nikki.
Christy Award-winning and bestselling author Lisa Harris puts readers right into the action in this fast-paced thriller that will have them turning pages long into the night.

Why I Want It

I've enjoyed every book I've read from this author including the first Nikki Boyd novel and I am excited to see how her story continues!

Tuesday, June 07, 2016

#1. I love kids#2. I get to invest in the lives of children#3. I love giving parents the chance to get out once in awhile#4. I get to spend my days (and some evenings) playing as much as I want#5. I get to be silly and crazy at my job and it's totally acceptable#6. Baby giggles and children's laughter are some of the sweetest sounds#7. I get countless hugs, kisses, and "I love yous"#8. Naptimes/Bedtimes provide built in break times#9. When I go to work I'm greeted with squeals, smiles, and the screaming of my name#10. I get paid to follow my passion and do what I loveThere are countless more reasons but these are just the first ten that came to mind!